Astrobiological view might help us save planet: Nice write up of EARTH IN HUMAN HANDS in the Register Guard.

“The first step for change, said Grinspoon, is to understand that “the past is no longer the key to the present.” Humanity faces threats that are fundamentally different from those of even 50 years ago, and to survive we must once again swiftly adjust our thinking and behavior.

Both tremendous invention and self-restraint will be required. This can happen if we always keep the picture of the Blue Marble front and center in our minds. Every decision and every project can then be grounded in the understanding that we live on a finite planet. We can then reorient our scientific and technological prowess to focus on how to live happy and meaningful lives by restoring rather than further degrading our only home.

Grinspoon calls this a much-needed new “planetary intelligence.” He closes his book by stating it is time to “human up.” It won’t be easy, and there will be much pain along the way. But he said he is confident we can make the changes. Given the many challenges we face, I welcomed Grinspoon’s optimism.”

Read the whole review here.

A Really Nice Review of Earth  in Human Hands in Astronomy Magazine!

Rarely is a science book profoundly informative, highly entertaining, and surprisingly filled with interesting tidbits as a memoir. Such is the case, however, from the new book Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future, by planetary scientist David Grinspoon…

…This is a book that any thinking person will have been glad to read. One could hardly ask for more from a well executed book on science.

Read the full review.

From 70 books to make you feel hopeful: An end-of-year reading list by IDEAS.TED.COM.

When you’re looking for a completely different perspective on life

Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future by David Grinspoon
Who knew that taking an interplanetary, billion-year view on our environmental troubles could inspire such optimism? Grinspoon is a planetary scientist, and he thinks big — very big. He’s also hopeful that as we mature as a species, we will become ever better at preserving all species, controlling climate change and thinking about ourselves as part of one vast interconnected biosphere.
— Emma Marris 

This Astrobiologist Feels Pretty Good About the Planet’s Future

CU Boulder adjunct professor David Grinspoon talks about climate change, environmental trends, and his new book, Earth in Human Hands.
Read the article here.